Figure 1.--Here we have some sort of unidentified facility for children. We think it is in Germany, in part because of the clothes. A Germany reader believes the building and the windows suggest central Europe which may mean eastern Germany. The photograph is undated, but to us looks like the mid- or late-1920s. possibly the early-30s. Note the presence of the nurses (some of whom may be maids) rather than teachers. (Perhaps someone will recognizew their uniforms.) This tells us that it was not a school. Our German reader believes it is an orphanage. We do not know to what extent orphanages had uniforms for the children. We believe it might be a sanatorium in part because the clothing seems to be influenced by the fresh aor ideal. Our German reader tells us that sanatoria did not have uniforms. We think he is correct. While as a rule, sanatoria did not have uniforms, there were a largev number of sanatoria in Germany run by many different grouops. It seems to us possible that a few may have had uniforms for the children. Perhaps our German readers will hasve insights to offer here.

There were a variety of German charity institutions, although here our information is limited. Similar institutions are well described by American and British historians. We know, however, very little about the instituions in Germany. Presumably this is because much of the literature is in German. We are not sure, for example, about work houses. They were very important in America and Britain, but we do not know about Germany. We do know that there were orphanages. We do have some limited information on orphanages. Here there was a substantial need after the two world wars, especially World War II. We know many children were cared for in orphanages affter World war I. We are less sure what occurred after World War II. There were also health facilities like sanotaria. We notice the royal family helped to found some of these sanatoria. Many were supported by religious charities. Furing the NAZI era they were nostly taken over by the NAZI Party and its umbrella charity organization. Some of the sanatoria staff were implicated in the nototious NAZI T4 eutenasia program.

Work Houses

We are not sure, for example, about work houses. They were very important in America and Britain, during the 19th century, but we do not know about Germany.

Orphanages

We have virtually no information on Germn orphanages. We do know that there were orphanages. But we have been able to find very little information about them. We think many were supported by religious charities. We have not been avble to find any information on the 19th century. We do have some limited information on orphanages in the 20th century. . Here there was a substantial need after the two world wars, especially World War II. There were vast numbers of displace people, including children. We know many children were cared for in orphanages affter World war I. We are less sure what occurred after World War II. Unlike children in the occupied countries, we think German children were more likely have remained part of familky groups. Still there still were many dusplaced children.

Health Facilities

There were also charity health facilities in Germany like sanotaria. Tuberculosis was a major health problem during the 19th century, especialy after industrialization increased urban concentrations at the same time polution reduced air quality. Doctors began recomensing rest, good nutrition and fresh air as the best way of assisting the body to fight the disease. Dr. Hermann Brehmer established the first German sanatorium for the systematic open-air treatment of tuberculosis--the Brehmerschen Heilanstalt für Lungenkranke in Görbersdorf (Sokołowsko), Silesia. There parents were exposed to fresh (high altitude) air and received good nutrition. Tuberculosis sanatoria gradually became common throughout Europe from the end of the late 19th century onwards. Sea air was also seen as having healthy affects. Dr. Carl von Mettenheimer in Schwerin was a pioneer in the doundation of treatment facilities for children at spas and coastal locations. He founded the "Verein für die Errichtung von Kinderheilstätten an deutschen Seeküsten" ("Association for the Establishment of Pediatric Sanatoria on German Coasts"). The the first sanatorium for children was built at Mürtiz on the Baltic coast. Another early sanatorium was the children's sanatorium "Bethesda" at Sülze. Other important figures were the hygiene specialist Prof. Uffelmann (Rostock) and the pediatricians Dr. Carl von Mettenheimer (Schwerin) and Prof. Herrmann Brüning (Rostock) in the development of child care and pediatrics even beyond the borders of Mecklenburg. [Kütz, RoRothermann, and Sabionsli] We notice the royal family helped to found some of these sanatoria in the late-19th century. One report shows that Crown Prince Wilhelm (furure Wilhelm II) and his wife were involved as patrons in a charity society. The organizer was a Professor Ewald of Berlin. The purpose was to establish Sanatoria along the North Sea ad Baltic coasts for "sick amd weakly children". They were for poor children as well as children in more comfortable circumstances that required long-term care, but whose parents can not remain with them for extended periods. ["Sanatori ....". p. 240.] Several of the new institutionse described. At Wyk in Göhrthere was to be a children's hosital (50-60 beds) with holiday accomodations for visitors. At Norderney a proivisional hospital was to be built (20-24 beds). At Zoppot near Danzig agift of 6,000 marks was received for a childen's asylum. Many of these santoria were supported by religious charities. Furing the NAZI era they were nostly taken over by the NAZI Party and its umbrella charity organization. Some of the sanatoria staff were implicated in the nototious NAZI T4 eutenasia program.

Sources

Külz J., H. Rothermann, amd I.Sabionski. "Early history of pediatrics in Mecklenburg. 3: Health resorts for children/Klinik für Kinderheilkunde" (in German) Universität Rostock. Kinderarztl Prax. (July-August 1991) Vol. 59, No. 7-8, pp: 250-253.

"Sanatoria for children in Germany," Jastor: The Britosh Medical Journl Vol. I, No. 1103 (Fenruary 13, 1882).

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Theatricals]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Biographies] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: 2:46 AM 1/8/2010
Last updated: 2:46 AM 1/8/2010